The Tour will have a rest day in Andorra for the 4th time in its history. After this Pas de la Casa will become the 5th location inside the Principality to welcome a start or finish of La Grande Boucle. Pas de La Casa is a well-known ski resort for British skiers. Well known of tourists, this privileged point of passage towards France has on its territory the resort of Grandvalira that offers the largest skiing domain of the Pyrenees and was a sponsor in 2009 of a continental cycling team

The finish in Saint-Gaudens will be located in front of the stands of the former Comminges motor race circuit. Saint-Gaudens is the place where a British rider first wore the Yellow Jersey. It was the legendary Tom Simpson in 1962. Luis Ocaña had his first stage success on the Tour here in 1970. When the Tour finished here last in 1999, Dimitri Konyshev was the winner. Watch the stage video here

After a long and probably fast first 100 kilometres, the sting is in the tail with 3 major obstacles in a row: Peyresourde, Val Louron-Azet and to finish off, the 16-km climb at an average gradient close to 9% of the unforgiving Col du Portet. Big efforts required for what promises to be quite a show.

The “flash” stage of 2018 of only 65kms from Luchon including the climbs up Peyresourde, Peyragudes and Val Louron-Azet was the first summit atop the Coll de Portet. The stage was won by Nairo Quintana. At 2215 m, the Porte is the highest Col in the French Pyrenees. In the past many stages finished at the Pla d’Adet which is next to Saint-Lary-Soulan. After the inaugural triumph of Raymond Poulidor in 1974, all the winners there were known climbers: Joop Zoetemelk (1975), Lucien Van Impe (1976 et 1981), Mariano Martinez (1978), Beat Breu (1982), Zenon Jaskula (1993) and Rafal Majka (2014). Stage Video here

Pau, the Tour capital of the Pyrenees has even created an open air museum in honour of La Grande Boucle named le Tour des Géants. Pau will welcome the event for the 8th consecutive time. Julian Alaphilippe, boosted by his Yellow Jersey went on to beat all the time-trial favourites in 2019. Pau loves the Tour and the Tour loves Pau!

Luz Ardiden is a summit for great moments. In 1985, Pedro Delgado claimed his first success on the Tour. Greg Lemond was held back as he was ordered by his team not to put the Yellow Jersey of his leader Bernard Hinault in danger. In 1990, Miguel Indurain won his last normal stage victory there (other than time-trials of course). In 1994, Richard Virenque triumphantly finished off one of his most beautiful breakaways. And when Samuel Sanchez won there in 2011, Thomas Voeckler was still a comfortable Yellow Jersey. Watch the Stage Video Here

Please arrange your own flight to Toulouse. There are numerous airlines that fly into Toulouse airport (book early to take advantage of cheap flights). We will meet you on arrival and take you to the 3 star Hotel Carre Py in Bagneres de Bigorre at the foot of the Col du Tourmalet. You can use the time today to unpack your bike from its box as during the tour when required we are transporting your bike fully assembled.

We will provide arrival airport transfers that leave Toulouse airport at 13.00 and at 16.00. It’s a 2 hour transfer so if you are not there on time, we can’t provide alternative transport unfortunately.

If you have rented a bike with us then it will be available for you at the hotel this evening. Please note that you need to bring your own shoes, pedals, helmet and cycling clothing.

During this evening’s meal we will take the opportunity to go through the programme of the days to come. This is also a good opportunity to get to know your fellow group members.

We have a treat in store for you today. The cyclists can join us for our ‘cross the finish line’ VIP experience. We will ride on the very roads that the peloton will ride on just hours later. After you have crossed the official finish line on we will all have our photos taken on the winners podium.

We will drive spectators to Saint Gaudens and join the crowds cheering our riders, and later, the pros.

Your day includes

• The support of the Sports Tours International team and support vehicle
• Cycle the final part of the stage along the same route as the pros just hours later
• Cross the finish line on your bike
• A photo on the top step of the official podium

After this we will get changed at the tour bus and we have access to the Izoard Finish Hospitality area.

Izoard finish line hospitality

The Tour de France sets up a limited number of areas located on course within the final portion of the stage. These have names like Tourmalet, Izoard and Galibier. Access to these areas is reserved and by invitation only. You will see famous ex-cyclists, sponsors and team guests. Typically these areas are within 200 metres or so of the finish line. There is also a spectator friendly elevated viewing area. You will be served with drinks and snacks and there is a big screen to watch the LIVE action as it unfolds. After watching the finish, you will celebrate the victory with Champagne.

Provisional timings (may change once final logistics are confirmed)

14:30 – Opening of the Tour de France Izoard Area
15:45 – Publicity Caravan passes the Izoard area
17:35 – Estimated finish time for stage winner
18:15 – Izoard Area closes

The evening meal is available at the hotel on return.

Today’s stage finish is on the Col du Portet, 16km up from Saint Lary Soulan. The riders finish here after tackling the Col du Peyresourde and Col de Val Louron Azet. Likely location of today’s hospitality experience is Saint Lary which is a 1 hour drive from our hotel. We have another great day in store today for both cyclists and spectators at the Relais Etape. The spectators will go directly to the Relais Etape today.

Cyclists

We will take you to Bagneres de Luchon. From here we will ride the Col du Peyresourde and Col de Val Louron Azet to finish in Saint Lary. This is a 51km ride which will be supported by our support vehicle. Alternatively riders can come to Saint Lary and ride the final climb and descend back down to meet us at the Relais Etape.

Relais Etape

The Relais Etape is a hospitality area which takes the form of a small village in a prime position along the route, just a few kilometres from the finish line of each stage. This inspiring package mirrors the excitement of the race and includes:

• A clubhouse
• Welcome aperitif and unlimited buffet
• Entertainment and live coverage of the race on a giant screen
• Champagne celebration of the day’s action
• Tour de France gift

What to expect from Tour de France hospitality – watch the video here

Today is Tourmalet day. Early start for the cyclists on our guided ride. It’s possible to ride the full Tourmalet climb followed by the ascent to Luz Ardiden. We’ll ride out straight from the hotel. As a safety net, we’ll collect riders who are too late to ride up Luz Ardiden from Luz Saint Sauveur at 13.00.

Izoard finish line hospitality

The Tour de France sets up a limited number of areas located on course within the final portion of the stage. These have names like Tourmalet, Izoard and Galibier. Access to these areas is reserved and by invitation only. You will see famous ex-cyclists, sponsors and team guests. Typically these areas are within 200 metres or so of the finish line. There is also a spectator friendly elevated viewing area. You will be served with drinks and snacks and there is a big screen to watch the LIVE action as it unfolds. After watching the finish, you will celebrate the victory with Champagne.

Provisional timings (may change once final logistics are confirmed)

08:00 – Start of guided ride
12:00 – Reach top of Tourmalet – 30 km at average 10k/h
13:00 – Transport from Luz Saint Sauveur for riders to go to Luz Ardiden (if required)
14:00 – Izoard Hospitality area opens
15:45 – Publicity Caravan passes the Izoard area
17:35 – Estimated finish time for stage winner
18:15 – Izoard Area closes

The evening meal is available at the hotel on return.

Today it’s time to go. We’ll provide one airport transfer this morning back to Toulouse Blagnac Airport. We will leave at 09.00 with an ETA of 11.00 at the airport. Please book flights that depart after 13.00 if you are flying today.

Bordeaux and/or Paris extension – MORE INFORMATION HERE

if you’d like to stay with us a bit longer then we’re moving to Bordeaux today. After enjoying the Village Depart in Mourenx on today’s stage, we’ll transfer to Bordeaux where we’ll stay 2 nights. The Individual Time Trial to Saint Emilion could be spectacular again like last year. You can enjoy this day from the Relais Etape Hospitality venue. After this you can come with us to Paris where we stay at a city entre hotel and you can buy hospitality on the Champs Elysees.